95th Anniversary Homecoming and GLHR
Homecoming
by Dan/Webmaster
14 June 1998
Expect all the details and photos of this kick-ass event in the next GLHR newsletter. In the meantime, here are a few of my observations (my own opinions, I do not speak for the group) I'm jotting down on the flight home. (The Fat Boy stays in Chicago until I ride to Sturgis, and on to Seattle, in August)
The GLHR member turnout was incredible, with guys riding in from as far away as both coasts, Canada, and Texas. Many of the bros who showed up met each other for the first time, and everyone hit it off great. No bullshit, no attitude, just a lot of camaradarie, story-swapping (and no shortage of testosterone).
The diversity of the GLHR that attended was large. Some of our guys are long-hairs right out of Easy Rider magazine, others go for the buzz-cut or shaved head. Some have been riding for decades, others just started. All age groups were represented. Some do many thousand miles/year, others much less, etc., etc. All seem to share solid core values and an attitude of mutual respect, making friendships easy.
Everyone seemed in awe that they had managed to hook up with so many other Harley bikers who are gay. It was expressed many times during the weekend how cool it was to hang out with others where you can just be yourself.
The meet-and-greets were a huge success. Morning breakfast runs and rides to areas around Milwaukee were popular. The Milwaukee bros pulled together housing, and provided just the right amount of structure. Most of us did our own thing most of the time, but the opportunity was there to get together for something every day.
Larry and Joe hosted a rockin' gay biker party Saturday night at the home they are restoring, which stands almost in the shadow of the historic Harley-Davidson headquarters on Juneau Avenue.
Below is a photo of the Saturday morning ride into the lakefront party (courtesy of Bob/Two Rivers). The I-94 freeway was shut down, and only Harleys were allowed on for several hours.